Chapter 6 Ryan
RYAN
Ryan kept his eyes on the road as Tessa talked, her voice steady and professional in the way it always was when she was explaining legal matters. They’d left Sunrise House ten minutes ago and were heading into Nantucket.
“So they rounded up every single Stanstead,” Tessa was saying. “The property situation was handled amicably. Ian Marshall had already cleaned up most of the mess caused by Richard Stanstead and his parents before the arrests even happened or the fraud came into the light.”
Ryan glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to the narrow road. The streetlights were sparse this far from town, and the headlights carved a tunnel through the darkness.
“You’re sure about that?” Ryan asked. “That it’s all handled?”
“As far as I can tell from my legal side and what Trent told me, yes. The Stansteads are in federal prison. Their known associates have been rounded up. There’s been no activity from anyone connected to them since it happened.
” Tessa shifted in her seat to face him more fully.
“I really don’t think this has anything to do with Lori’s troubles in Florida. ”
Ryan processed that information, his mind automatically running through alternatives. If not the Stanstead connection, then what? The surveillance had been too professional to be random. Someone with training, resources, and a specific target.
“I need to talk to Trent about this,” Ryan said.
“No.” Tessa’s response was immediate and firm. “Lori and I agreed not to involve my mother or brother just yet.”
“It’s the fastest way to clear this up and rule it out,” Ryan argued reasonably. “Trent has access to federal databases, real-time intelligence. He could confirm in five minutes whether the Stansteads are really locked down or if there’s any chatter about them.”
“We don’t want to worry my mother,” Tessa said, her voice carrying that particular tone that meant she’d already made up her mind. “If she thinks Lori’s in danger, she’ll be on the next plane back here. She’s supposed to be recovering, not rushing back into crisis mode.”
Ryan understood the impulse, even if he disagreed with the approach. “I’ll be discreet. I’ll just call Trent and tell him I was at Pelican Bay, saw you here, decided to say hi, and ask if he’s coming to visit too. Casual conversation.”
Tessa raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical even in the dim light from the dashboard. “And then what? You’re just going to casually ask, ‘Hey, what’s happening with the Stanstead case?’ Trent is an FBI agent. He can smell nonsense a mile off.”
Ryan couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, but I’ll be more subtle than that.”
“I don’t want them involved,” Tessa said, crossing her arms. “Look, I’ll secretly give you all my case files. I’ll just leave my laptop open and walk away. You know, for you to accidentally snoop on.”
Ryan glanced at her again, caught by the determination in her profile.
She was adorable when she got stubborn like this, all protective fire and legal precision.
He’d had a giant crush on Tessa since they’d met ten years ago at a family barbecue.
She was sharp and brilliant, arguing passionately about some constitutional case with Trent while the rest of them just wanted to eat burgers and swim.
Tessa was still the most beautiful, intelligent, and exasperating woman Ryan had ever met.
“Fine,” he said as the lights of town began to appear ahead. “I’ll call someone I know who works with Trent and find out discreetly. Is that okay with you?”
Tessa narrowed her eyes at him. “As long as it doesn’t get back to Trent or my mother.”
“It won’t,” Ryan promised. He could reach out to David Chen, who worked in the same field office as Trent but in a different unit. They’d crossed paths on a joint operation two years ago. David owed him a favor anyway.
Ryan smiled and focused on navigating through the town’s narrow streets toward Main Street, where Jim’s hardware store sat. The downtown area was quiet this time of evening, most shops closed, only a few restaurants still open with their warm lights spilling onto the brick sidewalks.
He pulled up outside Jim’s Hardware and cut the engine. The store itself was dark, but lights glowed in the apartment windows above. Jim was already opening the back door as they approached, his familiar weathered face breaking into a welcoming smile.
“Ryan! Tessa! Good to see you both,” Jim said warmly, ushering them inside. He’d known them for years through their parents.
“Thanks for opening up for us, Jim,” Ryan said, shaking the older man’s hand.
“Not a problem at all. Your dad said you needed fuses for Seabird Cottage?” Jim led them through the dark store toward the counter, where a box already sat waiting. “I’ve got everything ready for you.”
“You’re a lifesaver,” Tessa said gratefully.
“Poor Carrie never did get around to updating that electrical system,” Jim said, shaking his head as he handed the box to Ryan. “I’ve been telling her for years she needs to switch to circuit breakers. These old fuse boxes are getting harder to find parts for.”
Ryan took the box, noting that Jim had included extras. “This is perfect. Thanks, Jim.”
“How’s Carrie enjoying Florida?” Jim asked, leaning against the counter in the way people did when settling in for a chat. “That was quite a recovery she had to make after the shooting. The whole island was worried about her.”
Tessa smiled warmly. “She’s doing really well. The warm weather and change of scenery have been good for her. She needed the break, but I do miss my daughter.”
“That’s wonderful to hear about Carrie,” Jim said with genuine relief. “We were all pretty shaken up when that happened. Is she thinking about coming back soon?”
“She’s actually loving it down there,” Ryan added, keeping his tone casual and upbeat. “Even talking about extending her stay.”
“Good for her,” Jim said, nodding approvingly. “I hope you’re going to join them there. Your mother always tells us how hard you work, and I bet you’re itching to get to your daughter.”
“Yes, I do miss Maggie so much,” Tessa told him.
“How is Piper, Ryan?” Jim asked him. “I bet she’s glad to have her favorite uncle home.”
“I haven’t seen her yet,” Ryan said. “She’s currently having an extended sleepover with one of her friends.”
“Oh, that’s too bad,” Jim said.
They chatted for a few more minutes, the conversation easy and comfortable.
Jim asked about Trent, about whether he might make it up to visit this summer.
Tessa answered smoothly, keeping everything light and normal.
No hint of the tension that had been building at Pelican Bay. No suggestion that anything was wrong.
Ryan was impressed by how well she maintained the facade. But then, she was a lawyer. Controlling her expressions and tone was part of the job.
They were at the door, about to leave, still exchanging pleasantries with Jim, when Tessa’s phone rang.
She pulled it from her pocket and glanced at the screen. “It’s Lori. Excuse me for just a second.”
“Of course,” Jim said.
Tessa answered, her voice cheerful. “Hey, Lori. We’re just leaving Jim’s now and—”
Ryan watched her expression change. The pleasant smile vanished, replaced by something sharp and focused. Her whole body went still in that way that meant she was hearing something important, something bad.
“Wait, slow down,” Tessa said, her voice urgent now. “I can’t understand you. Take a breath and tell me again.”
Jim’s expression shifted to concern. “What’s going on? Is everything all right?”
Tessa spun to look at Ryan, her eyes wide with something that looked like fear. “What?”
Ryan felt his shoulders tense. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
Tessa covered the phone receiver with her hand, her mind clearly working fast. “Uh... Sorry, Jim. Lori needs me to get back to Seabird Cottage right away. She’s locked herself in the basement.”
Ryan’s instincts flared. That was a lie. He could see it in the way Tessa’s eyes didn’t quite meet Jim’s, in the too-casual tone she was trying to project. Whatever Lori had just told her, it wasn’t about being locked in a basement.
“Oh my,” Jim said, his face showing immediate concern. “Of course, go, go. Don’t worry about anything here, I’ve already put the fuses on Carrie’s bill.”
He stepped back, already ushering them out the door.
“Thank you so much, Jim,” Tessa said quickly. “We really appreciate your help.”
“Anytime,” Jim called after them as they hurried out. “Hope everything’s all right!”
Ryan and Tessa quickly climbed into the truck. The moment they were inside with the doors closed, Tessa was back on the phone.
“Lori, we’re on our way,” she said, her voice tight with control. “Don’t do anything until we get there. Do you understand? Stay exactly where you are.”
She hung up and immediately fastened her seatbelt, her movements sharp and efficient.
“Why do I get the feeling Lori isn’t locked in the basement?” Ryan said, eyeing her.
“We need to get back to Pelican Bay,” Tessa said, turning to look at Ryan. “Fast.”
Ryan started the truck but didn’t put it in gear yet. He needed to know what they were walking into.
“What is going on?” he asked, keeping his voice level. “Why did you lie to Jim?”
Tessa turned to face him fully, and now that Jim couldn’t see them, the fear was clear in her eyes.
“Because Lori said your father went to Seabird Cottage to try and find any evidence while there was still a bit of light,” Tessa explained rapidly, the words tumbling out.
“About a minute or so ago, she got a call from him. Only he didn’t speak.
She heard a weird sound, then a thud, and now she can’t get hold of him at all.
She went to the cottage to look for him, but she couldn’t find him anywhere. ”
Ryan’s heart leaped into his throat. Cold fear flooded through his system, the kind he’d learned to channel during combat but never got used to when it involved family.